Am I in the Clear

[sarsoura]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: DC
I was detained for shoplifting in DC. Actually it was all a bg misunderstanding since my 2 year old was involved. He grabbed a bos of chocolate and ate it. I stupidly forgot to pay for it...
I purchased a lot of stuff from that store
So when the security talked to me, I honestly told them that I forgot all about it... they took me back , checked my bag and when they found out it was only the box of chocolate that I didn't pay for it, they made me pay for it , in addition to 50$ as fees fo cicil recovery they said...too my picture and they made me sign a paper that i will am not allowed to come back before one year..no cops were called , no arrest, no charges...

I am afraid that they might file something against me , and have something on my criminal record. I was not intended at alllll
The manager told me that I will not hear from them again and that this information will stay only in the store's records.. should I believe him?
Why they took my picture?

[gigirle]

Your not officially in the clear from criminal charges until the statue of limitations runs its course.
If you paid your civil demand on time, they will most likely not file criminal charges against you. They took your picture so if you show up in the store (that you agreed not to go into), they can file additional treaspassing charges on you. That is in addition to the criminal charges on the shoplifting. Don't go in the store and give them reason to get you again.

[sarsoura]

Yes , but I already paid the civil demand on the spot and it was 50 dollars

[gigirle]

Civil is seperate from criminal. You should be okay if you stay out of the store like you agreed to do. You won't be officially in the clear of criminal charges until the SOL runs out.

[sarsoura]

when does the SOL runs out for my case in DC?

[gigirle]

dont know for sure, its usually 1-2 yrs

[sarsoura]

ok. the manager told me that I will not hear from them again and that no one But their store will know about this incident..
He was very sympathetic about it and he even told me about a situation that happened with him: he went out from a grocery store and later found out that his daughter has grabbed candy canes in her hands without him noticing... so he advised me to always check my child's stroller before going out from a store

[gigirle]

If thats what he told you then you should believe him. However, if you return to the store and change the terms of your agreement, expect to be prosecuted. Good luck

[sarsoura]

By the way I paid my civil recovery fee on the spot, it was $50.
Is it usual to pay that on the spot?
The manager and the LP did not mention any collection agency